Today’s announcement that Emirates will start a new non-stop service between Dubai and Auckland from 2 March 2016 means that Auckland Airport will now only be one stop away from the airline’s 53 European and Middle Eastern destinations.

Norris Carter, Auckland Airport’s general manager – aeronautical commercial, says, “The announcement of this new non-stop Emirates flight between Dubai and Auckland is great news for Auckland Airport and even better news for New Zealand.”

“This new flight will help to significantly increase the number of people travelling between New Zealand and Europe, India and of course the Middle East. It will help to further stimulate travel, trade and tourism with these important and growing markets.”

“Auckland Airport estimates this new service using a B777-200LR aircraft will provide an extra 194,180 seats per annum on the Dubai route and deliver an additional $125 million every year to the New Zealand economy.”

“We are particularly delighted that this new Dubai direct service will be in addition to the three Emirates A380 flights that already operate daily between Auckland and Dubai – via Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. These four daily flights will provide passengers with significant choice for their journeys, and the new non-stop Dubai service will reduce journey times by around three hours each way.”

“The new non-stop flight from Auckland to Dubai is estimated to take 17 hours and 15 minutes. That is only 20 minutes shorter than the current world record holder, a 17 hours and 35 minutes Emirates flight scheduled to start next month from Dubai to Panama City. Today’s announcement means Auckland Airport will have one of the world’s longest non-stop commercial passenger flights and exciting destinations such as Rome, Athens, Budapest, Warsaw and Vienna will only be a short six hour flight away from Dubai.”

“With a fleet of more than 230 aircraft, including 72 A380s, Emirates currently flies to over 140 destinations in more than 80 countries around the world, including 38 European destinations. It is a truly global airline and since its arrival in Auckland in 2003 it has experienced significant growth.”

“Auckland Airport looks forward to celebrating the arrival of the new non-stop Auckland-Dubai flight, and we wish Emirates well for their new service,” says Mr Carter.